Wireless communication device with an antenna adjacent to an edge of the device

ABSTRACT

A method for a wireless communication device including configuring an antenna including antenna circuitry to receive or transmit wireless signals; feeding a radio frequency signal into the antenna circuitry; providing a housing comprising a plurality of edges, wherein the edges comprise a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges, wherein a first edge of the housing comprises a conductive strip, a first slot, and a second slot, and wherein the first edge is the top or bottom edge; providing an input/output port adjacent to the first edge of the housing; and locating the conductive strip, which comprises a portion of the antenna, entirely between the first slot and the second slot, wherein a length of each of the first slot and the second slot extends across the first edge of the housing and is oriented perpendicular to a major axis of the conductive strip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/875,580 filed on May 15, 2020, now allowed, and entitled“Wireless Communication Device with an Antenna Adjacent to an Edge ofthe Device,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/005,086 filed on Jun. 11, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,971,801, andentitled “Wireless Communication Device with an Antenna Adjacent to anEdge of the Device,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/263,559 filed on Sep. 13, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,997,822,and entitled “Wireless Communication Device with an Antenna Adjacent toan Edge of the Device,” which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/059,588 filed on Mar. 3, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.9,462,096, and entitled “Wireless Communication Device with an AntennaAdjacent to an Edge of the Device,” which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/278,836 filed on Oct. 21, 2011, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,300,033, and entitled “Wireless Communication Device with anAntenna Adjacent to an Edge of the Device,” each of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

An antenna can be used to transmit or receive RF signals in the range ofabout 3 kilohertz to 300 gigahertz. For cellular communications withinthe United States, the relevant frequency range is between 824 and 2690megahertz. While numerous types of antennas exist, the use of slotantennas in cellular communication devices is on the rise. A slotantenna consists of a conductive surface, usually a flat metal plate,comprising an aperture or slot of a removed surface portion. The slotradiates electromagnetic (EM) waves when a driving frequency, e.g., RF,is applied to the plate. The shape and size of the antenna, the slot,and the driving frequency determine the radiation distribution pattern.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the disclosure includes a wireless communicationdevice comprising a housing comprising a plurality of edges andconfigured to serve as an external surface for the wirelesscommunication device, and an antenna adjacent to at least a first edgeof the housing, wherein the antenna comprises at least a conductivestrip and at least one slot and wherein the antenna is configured toreceive and transmit wireless signals, wherein the first edge of thehousing is one of an edge of the housing nearest an ear piece and anedge of the housing that is opposite the edge of the housing nearest theear piece, and wherein the conductive strip and the slot are adjacent toat least the first edge of the housing.

In another embodiment, the disclosure includes a method of assembling awireless communication device comprising forming a housing comprising aplurality of edges to serve as an external surface for the wirelesscommunication device, and forming an antenna comprising at least aconductive strip and at least one slot on the housing such that theconductive strip and the slot are positioned on a first edge wherein thefirst edge comprises one of an edge of the housing nearest an ear pieceand an edge of the housing opposite the edge of the housing nearest theear piece.

In a third embodiment, the disclosure includes a wireless communicationdevice comprising a housing comprising a plurality of first edges and aplurality of second edges and configured to serve as an external surfacefor the wireless communication device, wherein the plurality of firstedges are longer than the plurality of second edges, and an antennaadjacent to at least one of the plurality of second edges, wherein theantenna comprises at least a conductive strip and at least one slot,wherein the slot is adjacent to the at least one of the plurality ofsecond edges, and wherein the antenna is configured to receive andtransmit wireless signals.

These and other features will be more clearly understood from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis now made to the following brief description, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein likereference numerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a handheldwireless communication device comprising a slot antenna.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an edge of an embodiment of ahandheld wireless communication device comprising a slot antenna.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an edge of an embodiment of ahandheld wireless communication device comprising a slot antenna.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an edge of an embodiment of ahandheld wireless communication device comprising a slot antenna.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an edge of an embodiment of ahandheld wireless communication device comprising a slot antenna.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of an edge of an embodiment of ahandheld wireless communication device comprising a slot antenna.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of an edge of an embodiment of ahandheld wireless communication device comprising a slot antenna.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an internal portion of aslot antenna in a handheld wireless communication device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an operation method for ahandheld wireless communication device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an assembly method for ahandheld wireless communication device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that although an illustrativeimplementation of one or more embodiments are provided below, thedisclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any number oftechniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosureshould in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations,drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplarydesigns and implementations illustrated and described herein, but may bemodified within the scope of the appended claims along with their fullscope of equivalents.

In some embodiments, some of the advantages of a slot antenna mayinclude its size, design simplicity, robustness, and convenientadaptation. A substantial portion of a slot antenna may be placed on theexternal surface of a wireless communication device (e.g., in the formof an external ring), thereby reserving the internal space for othercomponents. Such external slot antenna design may also be referred to asa strip antenna, and the two terms are used interchangeably herein. Aslot antenna that is cavity-backed and circuit-fed does not require awaveguide, which further saves internal space of the device. Slotantennas are often used when greater control of the radiation pattern isdesired. A cavity-backed and circuit-fed slot antenna may have adistinct directional radiation pattern, and the antenna's polarizationmay be substantially linear and vertical with respect to the directionof an EM wave.

Unfortunately, when the slot antenna aperture is obstructed or comesinto contact with an electrical conductor, the EM signal transmissionand reception may be disrupted or attenuated. For instance, in thecontext of a handheld wireless communications device (e.g., a cellularphone), a user's hand may act as an electrical conductor that shorts outthe slot antenna, such as an external antenna ring. The air filling theaperture may act as an electrical insulator, e.g., a dielectricmaterial, with an average electrical resistivity on the order of 10¹⁶ohm meter (or a conductivity of about 10⁻¹⁵ siemen per meter). Humantissue, on the other hand, may be a relatively good electrical conductorcompared to air and may have an electrical resistivity rangingapproximately from about 0.5 to about 1.33 ohm meter (or a conductivityfrom about 0.75 to about 2.0 siemens per meter). A sweaty or wet handmay further increase the electrical conductivity and may short out theantenna upon contact with the hand, and thus cancel or attenuate thesignal reception or transmission.

Even if the hand of a user of a handheld wireless communications devicedoes not completely or significantly short out the antenna, human tissuecontact with the device may still pose a safety concern. The FederalCommunications Commission (FCC) has adopted limits for safe exposure toRF energy. These limits are given in terms of a unit referred to as theSpecific Absorption Rate (SAR), which is a measure of the amount ofradio frequency energy absorbed by the body when using a wirelesscommunications device, e.g., a cellular phone or handset. The currentFCC limit for a safe level of RF exposure from a cellular phone is anSAR level of about 1.6 watts per kilogram. The FCC mandates that anycellular phone sold within the United States have a SAR level at orbelow the FCC determined limit.

Disclosed herein is an antenna design, such as, for example, a slotantenna (or antenna ring) design, for a handheld wireless communicationsdevice, which may avoid substantial hand contact and thus may not sufferfrom significant attenuation due to hand contact. The slot antenna mayalso meet the FCC SAR requirement when the device is operated by a user.The slot antenna design may be implemented in a wireless communicationdevice to transmit and receive RF signals. The wireless communicationdevice may be a handheld device, such as a cellular phone. The wirelesscommunication device may comprise a housing or a casing, a slot antenna,and antenna circuitry. In some embodiments, the housing may be at leastpartially constructed from an electrically conductive material. Forexample, in some embodiments, the housing may be a metallic housing or apartially metallic housing. In some embodiments, the housing mayencompass a whole or a part of the wireless device and may comprise asubstantially ring-like shape. In some embodiments, at least a bottom ora top portion of the housing may be a metallic structure to inducecoupling to the slot antenna. As used herein, in some embodiments, theterm housing may refer to a metallic housing or a partially metallichousing or a housing fabricated at least partially from an electricallyconductive material. Also disclosed are a method for fabricating thehandheld wireless communication device and a method for operating thehandheld wireless communication device without the need to use adielectric covering.

The wireless communications device may be any electronic deviceemploying the disclosed slot antenna design. The wireless communicationdevice may comprise various types of handheld or personal devices, suchas portable two-way radio transceivers (i.e., “walkie-talkie”), cellulartelephones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptopcomputers, wireless networking devices (e.g., routers), globalpositioning system units, garage door openers, wireless computer mice,wireless keyboards, wireless computer accessories, satellite television,wireless keys, and cordless telephones. This disclosure discussesvarious embodiments for the slot antenna design in a cellular telephoneby way of example and not of limitation. A person having ordinary skillin the art would recognize that implementing the disclosed slot antennadesign in any other type of wireless communication device is within thescope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a handheld wireless communicationdevice 100. The wireless communication device 100 may comprise a housing101. The housing 101 may be a casing that forms the external surface ofthe wireless communication device 100, and comprise a plurality of edges102 along a perimeter of the wireless communication device 100. Theedges 102 may include a bottom edge 104, two side edges, and a top edgeopposite to the bottom edge 104. The bottom edge 104 may comprise anynumber of slots 106 (for instance two slots 106) and a conductive strip110. The conductive strip 110 may comprise an external portion of thedevice's antenna, which may comprise an external portion and an internalportion. The external antenna portion may be coupled to an internalantenna portion (not shown) located inside the wireless communicationdevice 100. The external antenna portion may be a slot antenna thatextends along the edges 102 (as a ring) or a portion of the edges 102(e.g., at the bottom edge 104). The conductive strip 110 of the slotantenna may extend between two slots 106 that are part of the slotantenna and adjacent to the conductive strip 110 on the bottom edge 104,as shown in FIG. 1 . The wireless communication device 100 may alsocomprise one or more input/output (I/O) ports 112 that may be located onone external surface, e.g., along the edges 102, and one or moreapertures 116 on a front panel 114 of the device. The apertures 116 maysupport a speaker or a microphone (not shown) that may be located insidethe wireless communication device 100. The front panel 114 may comprisea touch screen panel and, optionally, a plurality of input buttons(e.g., a QWERTY keyboard). One or more input buttons (not shown) may belocated on the edges 102 as well.

The shape of the housing 101 may vary according to the differentdesigns, e.g., for different device types and/or manufacturers. Theshape may be any three-dimensional shape, including a cube, cuboid,cylinder, cone, sphere, polyhedron, or prism. In one embodiment, thehousing 101 may have a rectangular cuboid shape with smoothed corners.The dimensions of the housing 101 may also vary. In one embodiment, thecuboid shape may have a thickness (t) of about 10 millimeters, length(l) of about 110 millimeters, and width (w) of about 60 millimeters. Inother embodiments, the dimensions of the housing 101 may have differentvalues but with similar ratios as above or with different ratios. Forinstance, the shape of the housing 101 may be longer, wider, or thickerin comparison to the dimensions above for t, l, and w. The housing 101may be made out of various materials, which may include plastic, fiberglass, rubber, and/or other suitable materials. For portableelectronics, high-strength glass, polymers, and/or optionallylight-weight metals (such as aluminum) may be used as part of thehousing 101 to reduce the overall weight of the device. If the frontpanel 114 is a touch screen panel, a polymer (such as poly(methylmethacrylate)) or high-strength glass with conductive coating may beused in the housing 101. The slot antenna around the edges 102 may bemade of conductive material suitable for RF signal radiation, such asmetallic material, as described in more detail below.

The slots 106 may have different shapes (e.g., circular, elliptical, orrectangular) of appropriate dimensions (e.g., diameter for circularperforation or width for a rectangular slot) to provide sufficient gapsuitable for RF signal radiation. In one embodiment, the width ofrectangular slots 106 may be about 5 millimeters. In another embodiment,the slots' width may be about 1 millimeter. For example, if the slots106 are narrower than about 1 millimeter, the antenna performance maydegrade. In one embodiment, the ratio of the width of the slots to thelength or extent of the bottom edge 104 may be equal to about 1 to 60.Because the slots may consume a relatively small portion of the bottomedge 104, the chances of the slots 106 being covered by a user's handmay be reduced.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a handheld wireless communication device 200according to one embodiment. The wireless communication device 200 maybe substantially similar to the wireless communication device 100. Thewireless communication device 200 may comprise a conductive strip 210located on a bottom edge 204 of the wireless communication device 200.The conductive strip 210 may be a portion of a slot antenna that mayextend as a ring around the edges of the wireless communication device200. The wireless communication device 200 may also comprise a pluralityof slots or apertures 206 that may be positioned around the centersurface area of the conductive strip 210 and may also be part of theslot antenna. The apertures 206 may be substantially circular orelliptical or may have any other suitable shape. The conductive strip210 and the apertures 206 may be equivalent components to the conductivestrip 110 and the slots 106, respectively, in the wireless communicationdevice 100. The size of the conductive strip 210 and the shape of theapertures 206 (e.g., circular shape) may be configured to improve the RFsignal radiation pattern and signal transmission/reception. Thedimensions and the number of apertures 206 may also be determined toimprove the signal radiation pattern.

It may be advantageous to place the RF-emitting components (e.g.,conductive strip 210 and apertures 206) as far away from a user's bodyas possible to satisfy the FCC's SAR requirements. One of the optimallocations to place the conductive strip 210 is along the bottom edge 204of the wireless communication device 200, which may be, for example, acellular phone. The bottom edge 204 may correspond to the portion of thephone pointed toward the mouth of the user and generally away from thebody. The use of a slot antenna, as opposed to other types of antenna(e.g., a dipole antenna), may also aid in directing the EM radiationaway from a user's body because of the directional radiation pattern ofa slot antenna.

The conductive strip 210 of the slot antenna may be an externalcomponent of the entire antenna of the wireless communication device200, where internal parts of the antenna are not shown. The conductivestrip 210 may comprise the apertures 206. In other embodiments, theconductive strip 210 may comprise slots instead of the apertures 206that serve the same purpose and may be adjacent to the conductive strip210, e.g., on opposite sides of the bottom edge 204. The apertures 206may be perforations contained within the conductive strip 210. Theconductive strip 210 may vary in size, e.g., according to the size ofthe bottom edge 204. For instance, the conductive strip 210 may comprisethe entire width of the bottom edge 204.

The conductive strip can be fabricated using various conductivematerials and fabrication methods. In one embodiment, the conductivestrip may be manufactured by stamping out an appropriate size strip froma metal sheet. The metal sheet and the resultant conductive strip 210may have electrical resistivity on the order of about 1 micro-ohm orlower, i.e., a conductivity of about 1 megasiemens per meter or higher.Some commonly known metals with electrical resistivity in such range arenickel-chromium alloy, stainless steel, titanium, and tungsten. Inanother embodiment, the metal sheet and the conductive strip may haveelectrical resistivity on the order of about 100 nano-ohm meter orlower, i.e., a conductivity of about 10 megasiemens per meter or higher.Some commonly known metals with electrical resistivity in such range arecopper, aluminum, silver, gold, iron, platinum, tin, and nickel.Alternatively, the conductive strip may also be formed by flexibleprinted circuit technology using polyimide film that can be metalized.In another embodiment, the conductive strip may be formed by laserdirect structuring technology using two-component molding technology.The molding components may be thermoplastics, where one component may bea plateable thermoplastic (with metal).

The wireless communication device 200 may also comprise one or more I/Oports 212, which may be similar to the I/O port 112. The I/O port 212may be located along the bottom edge 204, e.g., adjacent and parallel tothe conductive strip 210. The perimeter of the I/O ports 212 may be madeof or coated with dielectric material to prevent conduction between themetal conductive strip 210 and the I/O ports 212 components, and therebyprevent any interference or attenuation of RF signals. A suitabledielectric material may have electrical resistivity on the order ofabout 10 mega-ohm meter or greater (or conductivity on the order ofabout 10 nanosiemens per meter or less). Such dielectric materials mayinclude various polymers (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) orpolyethylene terephthalate (PET)), hard rubber, or tempered glass.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a handheld wireless communication device 300according to another embodiment. The wireless communication device 300may be substantially similar to the wireless communication device 100.The wireless communication device 300 may comprise a conductive strip310 located on a bottom edge 304 of the wireless communication device300. The conductive strip 310 may be a portion of a slot antenna thatmay extend as a ring around the edges of the wireless communicationdevice 300. The wireless communication device 300 may also comprise aslot 306 that may be positioned around the center area of the conductivestrip 310 and may be part of the slot antenna. The slot 306 may be arectangular aperture positioned along the conductive strip 310, and mayextend parallel to the length of the conductive strip 310. The wirelesscommunication device 300 may also comprise one or more I/O ports 312,which may be located along the bottom edge 304, e.g., adjacent andparallel to the conductive strip 310. The conductive strip 310, the slot306, and the I/O port 312 may be equivalent components to the conductivestrip 110 or 210, the slots 106 or apertures 206, and the I/O port 112or 212, respectively.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a handheld wireless communication device 400according to another embodiment. The wireless communication device 400may be substantially similar to the wireless communication devices 100,200, or 300. The wireless communication device 400 may comprise aconductive strip 410 of a slot antenna located on a bottom edge 404 ofthe wireless communication device 400. The wireless communication device400 may also comprise a slot 406 that may be a rectangular aperturepositioned around the center of the conductive strip 410 and may be partof the slot antenna. The orientation of the slot 406 may be parallelrather than perpendicular to the conductive strip 410 of the slotantenna. The slot 406 may extend along the bottom edge 404 as shown inFIG. 4 . The wireless communication device 400 may also comprise one ormore I/O ports 412, which may be located along the bottom edge 404,e.g., adjacent and parallel to the conductive strip 410. The conductivestrip 410, the slot 406, and the I/O port 412 may be equivalentcomponents to the conductive strip 110, 210, or 310, the slots orapertures 106, 206, or 306, and the I/O port 112, 212, or 312,respectively.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a handheld wireless communication device 500according to another embodiment. The wireless communication device 500may be substantially similar to the wireless communication devices 100.The wireless communication device 500 may comprise a conductive strip510 of a slot antenna located on a bottom edge 504 of the wirelesscommunication device 500. The wireless communication device 500 may alsocomprise a plurality of slots 506 that may be rectangular apertures,which may be oriented perpendicular to the conductive strip 510 of theslot antenna, as shown in FIG. 5 . The slots 506 may extend across thebottom edge 504. Alternatively, the slots 506 may be shorter rectangularapertures positioned within the bottom edge 504 (not shown). Thewireless communication device 500 may also comprise one or more I/Oports 512, which be located along the bottom edge 504, e.g., adjacentand parallel to the conductive strip 510 of the slot antenna. Theconductive strip 510, the slots 506, and the I/O port 512 may correspondto the conductive strip 110, 210, 310 or 410, the slots or apertures106, 206, 306, or 406, and the I/O port 112, 212, 312, or 412,respectively.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a handheld wireless communication device 600according to another embodiment. The wireless communication device 600may be substantially similar to the wireless communication devices 100.The wireless communication device 600 may comprise a conductive strip610 of a slot antenna located on the bottom edge 604 of the wirelesscommunication device 600. The wireless communication device 600 may alsocomprise a plurality of slots 606 that may be rectangular apertures,which may be oriented perpendicular to the conductive strip 610 of theslot antenna. The slots 606 may extend across the bottom edge 604 asshown in FIG. 600 . Alternatively, the slots 606 may be shorterrectangular apertures within the bottom edge 604 (not shown).Specifically, the slots 606 may be located at the two extreme ends ofthe bottom edge 604. At least a portion (corresponding to the slotantenna) of the side edges 602 (not shown) adjacent to the slots 606 maybe made of suitable conductive material described above to facilitateproper EM radiation. The wireless communication device 600 may alsocomprise one or more I/O ports 612, which be located along the bottomedge 604, e.g., adjacent and parallel to the conductive strip 610 of theslot antenna. The conductive strip 610, the side edges 602, the slots606, and I/O port 612 may be equivalent components to the conductivestrip 110, 210, 310, 410, or 510, the side edge 102, the slots 106, 206,306, 406, or 506, and the I/O port 112, 212, 312, 412, or 512,respectively.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a handheld wireless communication device 700according to another embodiment. The wireless communication device 700may be substantially similar to the wireless communication devices 100.The wireless communication device 700 may comprise a conductive strip710 of a slot antenna located on a bottom edge 704 of the wirelesscommunication device 700. The wireless communication device 700 may alsocomprise a plurality of slots 706 that may be rectangular aperturesoriented perpendicular to the conductive strip 710. The slots 706 mayextend across the bottom edge 704 (as shown) or may be shorterrectangular apertures within the bottom edge 704. Specifically, theslots 706 may be placed asymmetrically along the bottom edge 704. Forexample, one of the two slots 706 may be positioned at one extreme endof the bottom edge 704 and another slot 706 may be positioned at theother side of the bottom edge 704 but not at the opposite extreme end,as shown in FIG. 7 . The wireless communication device 700 may alsocomprise one or more I/O ports 712, which may be located along thebottom edge 704, e.g., adjacent and parallel to the conductive strip 710of the slot antenna. The conductive strip 710, the slots 706, and theI/O port 712 may be equivalent components to the conductive strip 110,210, 310, 410, 510, or 610, the slots 106, 206, 306, 406, 506, or 606,and the I/O port 112, 212, 312, 412, 512, or 612, respectively.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of components of a slot antenna 802 ina wireless communication device 800. The slot antenna 802 may correspondto any of the slot antennas described above. The components of the slotantenna may comprise a ground lead 852 coupled to a grounding elementfor antenna circuitry 856, and one or more antenna feed connect leads854 that may be coupled to an antenna circuitry 856. Both the groundlead 852 and the feed connect leads 854 may be located inside thewireless communication device 800 (e.g., under the casing), and may becoupled to the conductive strip 810 or the bottom edge 804. The slotantenna 802 may comprise a plurality of slots 806 that may be arrangedand configured substantially similar to slots 706 in FIG. 7 . The shapeand size of the components may vary depending to the location of theantenna circuitry 856 and the internal space available within thewireless communication device 800. For instance, a cavity-backed andcircuit-fed slot antenna may occupy a significantly smaller volume ofthe internal space of the wireless communication device 800. Such a slotantenna may not require the use of a waveguide because the RF frequencymay be directly fed into the slot antenna by the antenna circuitry 856.Any other elements within the internal space of the device 800 that mayconduct electricity may be placed away from the internal components ofthe slot antenna. Alternatively, a dielectric membrane may be placedbetween the antenna components and other electrically conductiveelements to isolate the antenna components and prevent interference withthe antenna signals.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of an operation method 900 for ahandheld wireless communication device, which may be any of the wirelesscommunication devices described above. In the exemplary context of acellular telephone, the location of the apertures may affect the slotantenna performance. The operation method 900 may begin at block 902,where a handheld wireless communication device may be grasped by a userhand along the side edges of the device. At block 904, a palm of theuser may rest on the back panel of the handheld wireless communicationdevice (e.g., the back side of the housing 100 opposite the front panel114). The operation method 900 may then end. When the cellular phone ishandled and grabbed in such manner, a user hand may not touch or coverthe bottom edge (e.g., the bottom edge 104) of the wirelesscommunication device while operating the device. With respect to a slotantenna where the slots or apertures are located along the bottom edge,the operation method 900 may reduce the likelihood of loss orattenuation of RF antenna signals due to human tissue contact, which mayact as a conductor that shorts out the slot antenna. One of theadvantages of having a plurality of slots or apertures within or aroundthe slot antenna (e.g., at the bottom edge of the device) is that theprobability of all apertures being completely blocked by a user's handis decreased. During a practical use of a cellular phone device, a usermay typically hold the device in such a way that the hand does not coverany or at least some of the slots located along the bottom edge. If auser's hand happens to cover one of the slots, another slot (e.g., onthe other end of the bottom edge) may still function (provide propersignal radiation) without being affected by the user's hand. In thisregard, placing the two slots farther apart (e.g., at the bottom edge)may decrease the chances of a user's hand covering all slots orapertures of the external slot antenna portion, such as in the case of ametallic ring antenna around the edges of the device. Placing the slotor aperture at the bottom edge of the device may also obviate the needfor placing a dielectric covering, such as rubber or plastic snap-oncover, over the housing or edges of the device to prevent shorting outthe antenna by the user's hand or tissue contact.

In some embodiments, the slots or apertures may be filled or coated witha dielectric material. An aperture is ordinarily filled with air, whichis a dielectric. Filling the gap with a solid dielectric or a fluiddielectric (gas, liquid, or gel), e.g., in a dielectric coating, mayimprove the aperture gap performance, e.g., due to further reducedconductivity. Alternatively, the gap and optionally the conductive striparound the gap may be coated to better protect the aperture gap fromhand or tissue contact. In addition to placing the slot or aperture atthe bottom edge of the device, filling or covering the gap by adielectric (other than air) may further obviate the need for placing adielectric covering over the housing or edges of the device to properlyoperating the device and send/receive wireless signals.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of an assembly method 1000 for ahandheld wireless communication device, which may be any of the wirelesscommunication devices described above. The assembly method 1000 maybegin at block 1002, where a housing (e.g., the housing 101) may beformed for a wireless communication device. The housing may have anappropriate shape as described above, which may be achieved by variousmethods. For instance, if the housing is made from polymer, the desiredshape may be formed by die casting, extrusion, injection molding, and/orcompression molding. If the housing is made from high-strength glass,the desired shape may be formed by blowing, pressing, or using glassforming machines. If the housing is made from light-weight metals, thedesired shape may be formed by casting, cold pressing a single sheet, orwelding or soldering individual edges together. The housing may have adesignated location for the internal components and circuitry (e.g., theinternal components of the slot antenna of the wireless communicationdevice 800). At block 1004, the internal slot antenna components andcircuitry may be inserted into an appropriate location within aninternal cavity of the housing.

At block 1006, a conductive strip of the slot antenna is formed, whichmay be accomplished by various methods. For instance, if the conductivestrip is made from a metal sheet, the desired shape of the strip may bemechanically cut out from a sheet of metal with appropriate electricalconductivity, as described above. In one embodiment, the slot antenna,including the conductive strip, may be formed with the housing or casingin a combined process. In another embodiment, the conductive strip maybe formed by using flexible printed circuit technology, e.g., bydirectly placing polyimide film on the surface of the bottom edge of thehousing and subsequently metalizing the film. In another embodiment, thehousing may be made with thermoplastic components of the two-componentlaser direct structuring technology, where one of the components may besubsequently plated with metal.

At block 1008, one or more slots or apertures may be formed on theconductive strip depending on the design of the slot antenna, e.g., asillustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7 . For instance, the slots or apertures maybe formed by removing an appropriately shaped portion of the conductivestrip. At block 1010, the conductive strip may be inserted at the bottomedge of the housing. At block 1012, the slots or apertures in theconductive strip may be filled or coated with a dielectric material,which may have appropriate electrical conductivity as described above.At block 1014, an antenna feed connect lead may be coupled to theinternal antenna components and circuitry and to the conductive strip.At block 1016, a ground lead may be coupled to the conductive strip toground the slot antenna. The assembly method 1000 may then end.

In some embodiments, the antennas disclosed herein may operate, forexample, at one or more frequencies within the range of 824 and 2690megahertz. However, the antenna designs disclosed herein are not limitedto these frequencies, but may be implemented to operate at otherfrequencies as well.

At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations,and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of theembodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art arewithin the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that resultfrom combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of theembodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Wherenumerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such expressranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative rangesor limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly statedranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4,etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example,whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, R_(l), and an upperlimit, R_(u), is disclosed, any number falling within the range isspecifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within therange are specifically disclosed: R=R_(l)+k*(R_(u)−R_(l)), wherein k isa variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percentincrement, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5percent, . . . , 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent,96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent.Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in theabove is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term “optionally” withrespect to any element of a claim means that the element is required, oralternatively, the element is not required, both alternatives beingwithin the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises,includes, and having should be understood to provide support fornarrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, andcomprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scope of protection is notlimited by the description set out above but is defined by the claimsthat follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matterof the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as furtherdisclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) ofthe present disclosure. The discussion of a reference in the disclosureis not an admission that it is prior art, especially any reference thathas a publication date after the priority date of this application. Thedisclosure of all patents, patent applications, and publications citedin the disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extentthat they provide exemplary, procedural, or other details supplementaryto the disclosure.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure,it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is notto be limited to the details given herein. For example, the variouselements or components may be combined or integrated in another systemor certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described andillustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may becombined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, ormethods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled orcommunicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicatingthrough some interface, device, or intermediate component whetherelectrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes,substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in theart and could be made without departing from the spirit and scopedisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless communication device comprising: ahousing comprising a front panel, a back panel, and a plurality of edgesbetween the front panel and the back panel, wherein the plurality ofedges define an external surface along a perimeter of the wirelesscommunication device, and wherein the plurality of edges comprise a topedge, a bottom edge, and two side edges; an antenna configured toreceive and transmit wireless signals, wherein the bottom edge of thehousing comprises a conductive strip, a first slot, and a second slot,and wherein the conductive strip is located entirely between the firstslot and the second slot and is a portion of the antenna; and aninput/output (I/O) port located along the conductive strip, wherein aperimeter of the I/O port is made of or coated with dielectric material.2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the first slotand the second slot extend from the front panel of the housing to theback panel of the housing and across the bottom edge of the housing. 3.The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the top edge andthe bottom edge are shorter than each of the two side edges.
 4. Thewireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the I/O port islocated on the external surface defined by the bottom edge.
 5. Thewireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprisesan antenna circuitry, and wherein the antenna is configured to feed aradio frequency (RF) signal into the antenna circuitry without using awaveguide.
 6. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein thebottom edge is made of a metallic material.
 7. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 1, wherein the first slot and the secondslot are located symmetrically on different sides of the I/O port alongthe bottom edge.
 8. The wireless communication device of claim 1,wherein the first slot and the second slot are located asymmetricallyalong the bottom edge and have different distances to the I/O port. 9.The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a widthof each of the first slot and the second slot to a length of the bottomedge is greater than or equal to 1 to
 60. 10. The wireless communicationdevice of claim 1, wherein a width of each of the first slot and thesecond slot is less than or equal to 5 millimeters and greater than orequal to 1 millimeter.
 11. The wireless communication device of claim 1,wherein the conductive strip is a stamped metal piece that has anelectrical resistivity less than or equal to one micro-ohm meter. 12.The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the first slot andthe second slot are filled with a nonconductive material.
 13. A wirelesscommunication device comprising: a housing comprising a front panel, aback panel, and a plurality of edges, wherein the plurality of edgesincludes a bottom edge, and wherein the bottom edge includes a firstslot and a second slot; an antenna supported by the bottom edge of thehousing and configured to receive and transmit wireless signals, whereinthe antenna includes a conductive strip comprising an external portionof the antenna, and wherein the conductive strip is located entirelybetween the first slot and the second slot; and an input/output (I/O)port located along the conductive strip, wherein a perimeter of the I/Oport is made of or coated with dielectric material.
 14. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 13, wherein the first slot and the secondslot extend from the front panel to the back panel and across the bottomedge, wherein the plurality of edges further comprise a top edge and twoside edges, wherein the top edge and the bottom edge are shorter thaneach of the two side edges, and wherein the I/O port is located on anexternal surface of the housing.
 15. The wireless communication deviceof claim 13, wherein the antenna comprises an antenna circuitry, whereinthe antenna is configured to feed a radio frequency (RF) signal into theantenna circuitry without using a waveguide, and wherein the bottom edgeis made of a metallic material.
 16. The wireless communication device ofclaim 13, wherein the first slot and the second slot are locatedsymmetrically on either different sides of the I/O port along the bottomedge.
 17. The wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein thefirst slot and the second slot are located asymmetrically along thebottom edge and have different distances to the I/O port.
 18. Thewireless communication device of claim 13, wherein a ratio of a width ofeach of the first slot and the second slot to a length of the bottomedge is greater than or equal to 1 to 60, and wherein the width of eachof the first slot and the second slot is less than or equal to 5millimeters and greater than or equal to 1 millimeter.
 19. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 13, wherein the conductive strip is astamped metal piece that has an electrical resistivity less than orequal to one micro-ohm meter.
 20. The wireless communication device ofclaim 13, wherein the first slot and the second slot are filled with anonconductive material.